MORE PLANETCAVER STORIES

Welcome to the Planetcaver blog, featuring stories from caves andunderground explorations around the world, from the point of view of a beginner caver.

More caving-related articles:

Chattanooga Caving
I like caves, but feel suspicious of touristy tours. They usually leave a bland feeling, too easy, too packaged. Not so with Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, Tennesee!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

October 2015, Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
Caving (Rock, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Karst, Basic, Showtour)

Bunker Bouldering
A blown-up bunker. Debris. Darkness. Bats. Concrete rising to the heights. Walls hanging where they should not be. An ideal climbing place, if it wasn't for the grim past of this place and the morbid pictures of soldiers.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

June 2015, Humboldthain Flaktürme, Berlin, Germany
Climbing (Wall); Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers)

Orrido di Bellano
Orrido Bellano is a deep canyon or a gorge, formed through water sculpting the rock. There are beautiful rock formations and caves within the gorge. It can be accessed by paying a fee to walk the walkways attached to the walls of the gorge.
Full story

May 2015, Orrido di Bellano, Bellano, Italy
Caving (Basic, Rock, Morphology-Erosion)

Grotte di Rescia
Grotte di Rescia has been a show cave already from year 1700... it is a small (500 meters long) cave in Rescia, Lombardy, close to the shores of Lago di Lugano in Italy. It has been formed from tuff deposits dragged for centuries by calcareous spring waters. It is a nicely lit show cave, and the walk to the cave involves beautiful green mountain scenery with waterfalls, etc. Much recommended!
Full story

May 2015, Grotte di Rescia, Rescia, Italy
Caving (Basic, Rock, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Other, Showtour)

Sauna im Stubai
My kids follow me on some of my trips. Not only to enjoy the great skiing, but also to learn about culture. For instance, where else would my sons learn about der Sauna, except by going to the Freizeitcentrum im Stubai, Austria?
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

January 2015, Stubaital, Austria; Eisgrotte Stubaier Gletscher, Stubai, Austria; Schlick 2000, Austria; Patschkofel, Austria; Freizeitcentrum im Stubai, Stubai, Austria
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Caving (Glacier, Basic, Showtour); Sauna (Normal); Swimming (Indoor, Outdoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool)

Lost World
The sun is still bright, but the environment is getting strange. Fog is engulfing us. Plants are starting to look pre-historic. And I'm hanging from a 100 meter rope, above the Lost World, a cave system in Waitomo, New Zealand. And it is starting to look like my landing spot is in the river at the bottom of the cave.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

August 2014, Waitomo, New Zealand
Caving (Rock, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Karst, Basic, SRT); Sauna (Normal); Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool)

On the Beach
Midsummer in Gotland, Sweden. Perfect place for boating, hanging out on the sand beach, swimming, as well as a little bit of climbing. And all this underground!
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

June 2014, Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden
Caving (Rock, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Karst, Basic, Boating, Swimming); Swimming (Underground, Water, Waterbody-Cave)

Dos Ojos
I like lazy Saturdays. The ones with no meetings, and planes not leaving until the evening. And no plans, other than having a swimsuit and wanting to visit some natural pools in the warm weather. But I ended up seeing incredible cenotes, colours, and diving in the world's 3rd longest underwater cave.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

April 2014, Dos Ojos, Yacatan, Mexico
Caving (Rock, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Karst, Swimming, Diving); Diving

Underground Skiing
Does anyone remember the arcade game where you stood on skis? I loved that game, and one of the interesting tracks in the game goes through a cave. Ever since playing the game I have wanted to experience skiing underground. This week I was visiting Alpe d'Huez, France, and my wish was fulfilled. The "Le Tunnel" slope begins with a 200 meter tunnel through the mountain. And then continues as the most difficult black run the ski area has to offer.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

January 2013, Alpe d'Huez, France; Val d'Isere, France
Skiing (Snow, Outdoor, Underground, Lifts); Skiing (Snow, Outdoor, Underground, Lifts); Caving (Man-Made); Caving (Rock, Rock-Limestone, Skiing)

Underground biking in Maastricht
Biking underground, in a cave/mine? Why not when that's available! And in Maastricht it was!
Full story

July 2010, Sibbergroeve, Valkenburg, Netherlands
Biking (Bike-Mountain, Underground); Urban-Exploration (Mines); Caving (Man-Made, Biking, Rock, Rock-Marble)

This is the 22th set of articles. The previous sets were set 1, set 2, set 3, set 4, set 5, set 6, set 7, set 8, set 9, set 10, set 11, set 12, set 13, set 14, set 15, set 16, set 17, set 18, set 19, set 20, and set 21. This is the last set.

The Planetcaver articles appeared originally in the Blogspot Planetskier series, at TGR posts, or at the Relaa website. See also the articles about skiing, urban exploration, climbing, cycling, flying, swimming, and saunas.